Her father’s comment drew her in. No one had discussed anything with her. She took a deep breath and turned to him.
“Considering you discuss my future, Father, I believe it would be appropriate for me to voice my thoughts as well. And considering I obviously do not know all the particulars, I believe it should fall to you, Father, to inform me as to what has passed. It is my life, after all. I am entitled to have a say in it.”
Her father’s eyes grew wide. His brow furrowed and he frowned. “Do not tell me you object to this match as well, Annabella.”
“I did not say that. However, you have all been in discussions about my life, and have not seen fit to once ask me what it is I want.” She turned to Joan. “Well, except the king, of course.” Turning back to her father, she said, “What I want to know is the price you bartered for me, Father? What was I worth to you in the end?”
Her father’s gaze flicked around at the others present, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I am your father, and it is my right to make such arrangements for you.”
“That it is,” she said. “I love you dearly, Father, but it is time you started treating me as your daughter and not simply your possession.” Speaking to him in such a manner in front of the others was not the best way to handle the situation, but Annabella knew she would never have another chance to confront him. He had seen to that by making the arrangements without her counsel.
His eyes misted over. “You know I have only wanted to see you happy.”
“That may be so, Father, but you have never measured that happiness by my standards, only by your own.”
“What are you saying, lass?” Alexander asked her.
She turned to look at Angus. “I am saying that I want to marry Angus MacDonald. Not because it is a good business proposal between our families, but because I love him.”
Her father drew a great breath and released it beside her. She did not turn her head from Angus’s penetrating gaze while she waited. He had turned from her once. Would he do it again?
“Angus,” his father said. “The choice is yours. Do you wish to marry Lady Annabella?”
“Aye,” he said, without hesitation. “More than I require my next breath.”
Annabella’s heart swelled to near bursting. She smiled at him, and could not help the mist that had formed in her eyes.
She then turned back to her father. “I wanted you to see what it would look like to see me choose for myself, Father. I hope you understand.”
Her father’s eyes misted, and he drew her hands into his and squeezed. “I love you so very much, my daughter, and I do place a high value on your happiness. It is worth more to me than all the coin in all the kingdoms.”
“Then why have you negotiated so much with my future?”
“Because I knew that if I struck a hard enough bargain, those suitors would not take you. I was pleased every time you refused, but I could not let you see that.”
Annabella understood on some level, but she did not like it. “And in this case? You would have let me wed a monster?”
“A what? Annabella, what do you mean?”
“The Douglas’ have a terrible reputation for abusing brides on their wedding night.”
“I did not know this, I swear it. The king assured me it was a good match.”
Annabella turned to Joan. “Do you think the king set this whole business up in order to match me with MacDonald all along?”
Her cousin looked at all the men present, then turned back to Annabella. “I am certain of it.”
“I am afraid it has come at a cost,” Alexander said.
“It is of no matter,” Angus said. “Lady Annabella and I will be wed immediately, and that will be the end of it.”
“And the tournament?” Alexander asked.
“And the dowry,” Annabella’s father said. “I would much rather give it to you.”
“We are not in need of money, and the tournament will happen tomorrow. I will win, and we,” he said, pointing a finger at Annabella, “will be wed the day after that.”
“What kind of tournament?” Annabella dared ask.
